Free named Wellington’s deputy mayor
Green Party councillor Sarah Free has been named Wellington’s deputy mayor.
Mayor-elect Andy Foster made the announcement yesterday, ending days of speculation about who would be given the role.
Free, a city councillor since 2013, said she was honoured to be given the trust of her colleagues and Foster for the role.
It’s understood an attempt to appease a restless group of left-leaning councillors was partly behind Free’s appointment, with Foster’s first choice, Diane Calvert, set to be voted down had she been named.
Although Foster is positioned on the political centre-Right, appointing a deputy from the left was reportedly seen as a necessary move to ensure his first major decision as leader went smoothly.
‘‘We may not have exactly similar political leanings but we both care about important issues for Wellington ... I’m confident Sarah and I can work together,’’ Foster said.
Free said the difference was a strength and other combinations had done it successfully before, such as Celia WadeBrown and Ian McKinnon.
The election had brought about a nuanced result and she hoped to bring all those perspectives and talents together to bring optimal results for Wellington.
Free was believed to be considered a less combative figure than other Leftleaning candidates such as Iona Pannett or Fleur Fitzsimons.
Foster said Free was ‘‘more pragmatic’’ than many people on the Left.
Her deviation from party lines was evident when she recently voted against Wellington adopting electric scooters.
However, Foster said Free was chosen because of her strong people skills and devotion to the city.
Wellington mayors had a history of picking deputies with different political leanings.
‘‘It helps build a council team and it also recognises that Wellington is a city with a politically aware and diverse community.’’
Meanwhile, it’s understood Foster is favouring Calvert or Jill Day as chair of the council’s city strategy committee, a position which pays more than an ordinary councillor role and is said to hold a higher status.
There is also speculation Foster is considering paying some councillors more than others based on seniority.
His personal view was that remuneration should be in line with workload and responsibilities, and it had been structured that way at the council in the past.
All this is taking place against a backdrop of uncertainty as former mayor Justin Lester ponders calling for a vote recount after it emerged he lost by just 62 votes.
The council will reportedly make a decision today on whether to go ahead with its swearing-in ceremony scheduled for Wednesday, or delay it should a recount be requested.